Opposition
It is a damp morning here at HQ. The ground has been changed to good, good to soft in places and I expect it to be lovely ground up at the Rowley Mile.
Melodies ran well yesterday when second in the fillies’ conditions race at Newbury. She saw a lot of daylight early on and was keen as a consequence but she once more stayed on well and she needs to step up in trip. Indian Warrior was too free early on at Newcastle but he ran quite well in third and a return to a less testing 6f should help him, along with a better gallop. Carol got a couple of bumps as the pace quickened in the 1m fillies’ handicap but her race was run at a crawl early and the tempo of the race did not suit her.
We run four horses today. First Quest runs up at Catterick over 1m6f for the first time. He has shaped as if he needs this test and I have put the blinkers back on him. It doesn’t look the deepest race but Brandon Castle is in very good form and is drawn in stall one which will help him get to the front.
Apex King returns from a 133 day absence today and I would expect him to come on for today’s run. The trip should suit him and it is a drop in class but it looks a competitive race and I am just hoping that he can show us some sparkle. Crowned Eagle has been disappointing up in class but he may be hard to peg back and The Statesman seems to be an improving sort who represents an in form team. Sagely runs in the 1m4f fillies’ handicap at 2:35, whether she will stay on this ground I am not sure but we had to miss the John Musker with her and so we are trying this trip for the second time. She ran well in the Galtres on her first try at the trip last year and so it is well worth having another go. There are improving three year olds in the field and all four of them are in good form, so it will be a surprise if one of them doesn’t prevail.
Opposition runs over 2m in the 8:10 at Wolverhampton tonight. Ryan felt it was definitely worth trying him up in trip and if he settles I hope he can run well and that we can learn something. Noble Behest steps up in grade again but he is improving and beat a fair sort last time, so he will be hard to give a stone and a half to.